Branded(39)

Sliding out of bed, I pad across the carpet and let my nose lead me to the kitchen. My traitorous stomach growls again at the smell. I don’t even remember the last time I ate, but all I want to do right now is get the hell out of here. I don’t like feeling embarrassed and I know as soon as I look at DJ’s face, I’m going to regret the truth serum I drank last night. Jesus, did I tell him anything aside from the fact that he drunkenly took my virginity?

Rounding the corner into the kitchen, I see DJ standing in front of the stove, his chest bare and a pair of drawstring pants hanging low on his hips. He happily hums as he stirs whatever he’s cooking and my mouth twitches with the need to smile. My hands also start tingling with the need to run them down his muscular back and possibly around the front to dip into the waistband of his pants and palm his cock.

A scoff flies out of my mouth at my errant thoughts, the sound making DJ turn his head and smile at me over his shoulder.

“Breakfast is almost ready. How’s your head this morning?” he asks.

I try not to feel mortified as I think about all the things I might have said under the influence last night.

“Fine, my head is fine,” I tell him, clearing my throat when my voice comes out rough and scratchy.

DJ turns back around to face the stove, removing the pan from the burner before walking across the kitchen to stand in front of me.

“Do you want some more aspirin?” he asks gently.

I roll my eyes. “Stop being so fucking nice to me.”

He just laughs and shakes his head at me. “Shut up and grab a plate before it gets cold.”

I grab onto his arm when he starts to walk away and pull him back to me. “Why in the hell am I at your house and where are my damn boots?”

I really just want to get out of here before DJ brings up things I may or may not have said last night. Also, the sight of him standing in front of me shirtless makes me want to strip off my clothes and beg him to fuck me again.

“You’re here because your place was trashed last night, and so were you. You don’t remember going home?”

I try to recall the events that occurred after I walked out of the bar, but all I can remember is laughing like an idiot and being in DJ’s arms. Fuck, I definitely remember how good it felt to have him hold me.

“Yeah, I can tell by the confused look on your face that you don’t remember,” he tells me with a smile. “It’s probably better that way. Your father broke into your house while you were gone. Made a mess of your living room and left another note. The cop that was supposed to be watching your house must have been taking a donut break or some fucking shit. The place is being cleaned and fingerprinted, so you’re going to have to wait before you can go back there. And before you even try to argue, if you do go back there, I’m not leaving your side. Say hello to your new roommate.”

The smirk on his face pisses me off. I don’t like being told what to do and I especially don’t like the idea that he feels the need to stick to me like glue. I smack my hand against his chest.

“You’re not living with me,” I growl.

“The fuck I’m not,” he argues back.

I smack his chest again, harder this time. “There is no fucking way I’m living with YOU!”

“Give me one good reason why?”

I huff, pulling forth every bit of anger and hatred I’ve held onto towards him for years, ever since that fucking night of the graduation party.

“BECAUSE YOU TOOK MY VIRGINITY AND DIDN’T EVEN REMEMBER IT, YOU ASSHOLE!”

He loses a bit of the fight in him, but that doesn’t stop me.

“I finally got the damn courage to give up the V, to someone who I truly liked and probably even loved a little, and you didn’t even remember it the next morning!” I shout.

“Phina,” he whispers softly, pain laced through his voice.

“NO! You don’t get to be all sweet and sorry now. Do you have any idea what my childhood was like? To never know what it was like to be loved and touched with something other than hatred? I found that in you for one fucking night. One fucking night I was able to forget everything and think that maybe I had a chance at a normal life with a normal guy who could love me back and you shit all over it!” I yell, feeling the sting of tears behind my eyes.

I will not cry, I will not cry. I don’t fucking cry!

“I woke up in that bed alone. You fucking left me alone, but I still couldn’t stay away from you. I got dressed and came out to the living room to find you and do you know what you said?”

He shakes his head back and forth and I don’t know if it’s him answering my question or telling me not to keep going.